CUDE

Purdue University: A Promising Practice in Building Campus-wide Support for Web Accessibility

Administrators at Purdue University look for ways to raise awareness of web accessibility issues and to educate employees on how to create websites that are accessible to individuals with a broad range of disabilities. They have focused efforts through a campus-wide (WAC). WAC members represent both academic and administrative units across campus. Most are web developers and all are strong supporters of accessible web design. WAC members have:

OSTA: A Promising Practice of a Professional Organization Promoting Accessible Science

Professional organizations such as the (OSTA) serve an important function in helping their members stay current on relevant issues in their fields. OSTA made a statement about the importance of including students with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by partnering with AccessSTEM to provide their members with training and resources for fully including these students in their courses.

MESA: A Promising Practice in Making Math and Science Curriculum Accessible

ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ MESA's mission is to assist "underrepresented students in ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ State achieve their full potential and contribute in the fields of mathematics, engineering, and science". MESA—which stands for Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement—is a network of state-level programs with similar goals.

How do IT companies express their commitment to accessibility?

Many information technology (IT) companies provide public statements related to their products' accessibility to people with disabilities. Although some companies are criticized for publicly supporting accessible IT when it is not a genuine part of their practices, other companies provide leadership in the creation and support of accessible products.

Some of the reasons that companies provide public information about their commitment to accessibility are:

Kennewick Elementary School: A Promising Practice in Using Technology to Improve Teaching

Georgia Boatman, a teacher at Southgate Elementary School in Kennewick, ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´, wanted to increase student participation in her classroom, particularly that of students with disabilities. In collaboration with DO-IT's AccessSTEM project, she acquired an interactive learning tool the  (CPS) using funds from an AccessSTEM minigrant.

A Smart Board in the Classroom: A Promising Practice for Engaging Students

Pete Darragh, a sixth grade teacher at Sidney Glen Elementary School in Port Orchard, ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´, was awarded an AccessSTEM minigrant to integrate a large interactive white board, called a , and speakers into his teaching. Mr. Darragh says he applied for the grant as a way to add technology that would "hook" more of his students into learning, including those with learning challenges that result from disabilities.

When requested, why is it important that I provide a reading list to the disability services office prior to the start of a term?

Students with certain types of visual impairments and/or learning disabilities have difficulty accessing printed content. Students may request textbooks and other printed materials in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, electronic text, and/or audio recordings. Both procurement and in-house creation of these alternate formats are time-consuming. For example, even when publishers provide electronic formats of books, it may take several weeks for a student to obtain the materials.

Tools and Techniques for Accessible Web Content: A Promising Practice in Webcast Training

Dr. Jon Gunderson, Director of IT Accessibility Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Campaign, provided a web accessibility training event to postsecondary staff and faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. The for Accessible Web Content event shared best practices and reviewed accessibility management and visualization tools used to improve the design and verification of the functional accessibility of web resources. After the event Dr.

Pages